WS Chronicle

BY CRAIG T. GREENLEE

FOR THE CHRONICLE

For the second year in a row, Antwan Hughes of Parkland High is the Coach of the Year for girls track in North Carolina as voted on by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association. Hughes acknowledged that in accepting the award, his heart is heavy due to the loss of his father, Jacob Hughes, who recently passed away after a brief illness.

The association gives recognition to the top boys and girls coaches from each state. From that group, one boys coach and one girls coach will receive the National Coach of the Year Award.

As a youngster, Hughes played Pop Warner football with the Tiny Vikings and his father was the head coach. The younger Hughes remembers all the chat sessions with father/coach where the son/player learned how to improve his skills and gain a better understanding of game strategy.

“My dad was the one who steered me into coaching,” said Hughes. “We used to break down film and go over plays. We’d analyze what went right, what went wrong and what needed to be done to correct mistakes.

“Now, I’m finding myself doing the same things he did. From this point on, anything else that I might accomplish in coaching will be done in recognition and in honor of my father’s memory.”

Hughes, who became the Mustangs track coach in 2004, has built a nationally recognized program. Last year, Parkland doubled as the Class 4-A state team champions in indoor and outdoor track. Additionally, the Mustangs won the 4×200 relay at the New Balance Indoor Nationals.

The year before, Parkland won state team championships indoors and outdoors and claimed the national title in the 4×200 relay at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.

“Our program has come a long way and we’ve accomplished at lot,” said Hughes. “But there’s no way that any of this would have happened without the help I’ve gotten from some excellent assistant coaches. I give them a ton of credit because I couldn’t done this by myself.”

The Mustangs coaching staff includes: Jarrell Elliott (works with quarter-milers and half-milers), Chris Stewart (hurdles/long jump/triple jump), Qmar Cladd (assists Hughes with the short sprints), Maurice Morrison (long jump/quarter-milers) and Tyrone Holman (hurdles/long jump/triple jump).

Holman had been at Parkland up until 2014 and now he’s assisting with Winston-Salem Prep’s girls, who won the team title at the Class 1-A state outdoor championships last spring.

Given Hughes’ level of success, he’s been asked on several occasions about making the move to the college ranks. Hughes makes it clear that he’s not interested.

It’s his intention to coach at the high school for at least another eight or nine years. That’s because he wants to be available to coach his sons (9-year old Antwan Jr. and 7-year old Caleb) when they get to high school. Both run during the summer months with the Lights Out Track Club, which is owned by Hughes.

“I’m in this for the long run,” said Hughes. “I’ve worked with so many other people’s youngsters who have gone to college on track scholarships. So, it’s only right that I do the same for my own kids. I’m going to be there to provide all the training they need to make it happen.”